Attention and Affinities
“As writers, many of us are caught in the middle. Our creative imaginations are not discursive, but organic. We are pulled where the muses and where the fertile blindspots… More
Colombian Journalist Surveilled, Stalked by Her Government Security Detail Assigned to Protect Her
The illegal surveillance and stalking of journalist Claudia Duque exposes the imminent danger that independent journalists in Colombia face for their work, PEN America said today. More
Joint Open Letter: States Must Implement Moratorium on Surveillance Technology
A demand from civil society organizations and independent experts calling for a moratorium on surveillance technology by states. More
The PEN Pod: On Spyware Scandals, Olympic Protests, and Tackling Disinformation
“We have said a number of times in a number of contexts that athletes don’t lose their right to free expression when they put on their uniform.” More
The PEN Pod: Diving into the Pegasus Leak with Matt Bailey
“How do we ever get to a place where we feel sure that we have privacy and security of our data on our phones, of our conversations?” More
Spy Software Used to Track Journalists, Activists is Direct Threat to Free Expression Worldwide
Sophisticated software purportedly designed to track international criminals and terrorists has been deployed to hack the smartphones of journalists, advocates, and human rights activists around the world. More
As Increasing Number of Countries Seek to Close Digital Borders, PEN America Warns of New Threats to Free Expression and Privacy Online
As authoritarians seize new powers over the internet and even democratic leaders attempt to rein in unaccountable tech firms, PEN America warned in a new paper today that the… More
Myanmar’s Escalating Digital Repression—and Activists’ Digital Resistance
Since Myanmar’s military seized power on February 1, it has employed increasingly sophisticated digital modes of repression, alongside physical and legal measures, to try to stem democratic resistance. More
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PEN America On 
One teacher's complaint means 116 books are now "Restricted" in all @ecpsfl libraries.
Authors affected include: @nhannahjones @DrIbram @IamGMJohnson @ashleyhopeperez @KyleLukoff @jodipicoult @SJMaas @lxgino @ShaunieDarko @JoKnowles & @MargaretAtwood
https://www.wkrg.com/northwest-florida/escambia-county/florida-teacher-wants-review-of-over-100-books-discussing-sexual-political-and-lgtbq-topics/
This thread.
It's never "just a book" and it's never just "banned" - it's a far reaching chilling of the critical work of K-12 educators.
It is wrong. And It's unAmerican. https://twitter.com/jonfreadom/status/1576231440815357955
Gov. @GavinNewsom signs law restricting the use of rap lyrics in criminal court cases in California.
@KillerMike @MeekMill @TooShort @tydollasign and several others all showed their support by attending a virtual signing of the legislation. #FreeSpeech https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-10-01/214578/california-gov-gavin-newsom-signs-law-restricting-the-use-of-rap-lyrics-as-evidence/